'I'm being sent obscene pics, please don't do media trials': Man accused in Delhi racial abuse case says 'ready for any punishment'

A video of the couple recently went viral

• Delhi couple apologizes for racist remarks against Arunachal women
• Police booked the couple; FIR filed for promoting enmity
• Minister Scindia condemned the incident, urging swift action

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Days after a video showing a Delhi couple allegedly hurling racist insults at three women from Arunachal Pradesh triggered nationwide outrage, the accused has issued a public apology and appealed against what he termed a social media trial.

Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain were booked after footage of an altercation in Malviya Nagar went viral. The dispute began over an electrical installation at the rented accommodation of the three women. During the work, dust reportedly fell into the couple’s flat below, leading to a confrontation that escalated.

In the video, Singh and Jain are heard calling the women “momo” and alleging that they run a massage parlour and are sex workers. Ruby Jain is also heard referring to her husband as the son of a customs officer and a politician. The women are seen objecting strongly to the remarks, with police personnel present at the scene.

The incident drew condemnation from political leaders and civil society voices across the Northeast. Delhi Police registered a case under sections related to outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, and promoting enmity or hatred between different groups.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Singh said the remarks were made in the “heat of the moment” and expressed regret.

"We are showing complete cooperation with Delhi Police and we have complete faith that the police and Indian judiciary stand with us and will clear everything through an unbiased investigation. We are definitely ashamed. I am not such a person, but it was in the heat of the moment. We did not intend to do so," he said, appearing with his face covered by a mask.

He also urged restraint from social media users. "I want to ask the social media users to listen to both sides of the story. The videos show our reaction. Our property was damaged... the situation escalated after the woman came... Please don't do media trials; the Indian judiciary is above that. I trust Delhi Police will bring the truth to the forefront. We will accept whatever punishment we get, but don't paint us as Delhi's darinde (brutal) couple. We don't deserve this. I am being sent obscene, doctored images of my mother on social media. Our family and profession should not be dragged into this. I am ashamed, and I personally apologise to all the Northeastern people," he said.

Many social media users rejected the apology, arguing that the comments reflected deep-seated prejudice rather than momentary anger. Others pointed to recurring instances of harassment faced by people from the Northeast in different parts of the country.

Amid the controversy, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region, said he was "deeply disturbed by the racial harassment" the three Arunachal women faced.

"A minor residential issue escalating into abuse and intimidation rooted in prejudice is profoundly shameful. Spoke with Hon'ble CM of Arunachal Pradesh, @PemaKhanduBJP ji, and took up the matter with the Commissioner of Delhi Police. Have sought immediate and stringent action. An FIR has been registered and I am assured the accused will be apprehended swiftly. Any injustice against our brothers and sisters from the Northeast will not be tolerated. Their safety and dignity are paramount to us," the minister said on X.